The Press: Can’t Be Too Careful

Editor Milton Ronsheim of the weekly Cadiz (Ohio) Republican (circ. 4,000) was burned up over President Truman’s claim that the press had published “95%” of the nation’s military secrets, though some of them were from government handouts. So when the Pentagon mailed Ronsheim a handout with pictures of helicopters in Korea (see SCIENCE) and another of Defense Secretary Lovett, Ronsheim mailed the whole business right back. He also enclosed a note: “Mr. Truman has advised the press not to trust such departments as yours in making releases but to investigate and decide for ourselves … No one in our office has the time or knowledge to make this delicate decision . . . and will not risk getting Hell from Harry over Helicopters.”